In the summer, the Sonian Forest was expanded to include a new woodland reserve. Le Ticton covers almost 23 hectares and lies in a protected area of the forest, near the Terhulpen castle. From now on nature will be allowed to take its course there. Le Ticton is the setting for the symbol of the

Would you like to use your electric bike, Vespa or segway in the Sonian Forest? Then check the rules that apply to the various parts of the forest. Rules for the Flemish and Walloon Regions In the Walloon part of the Sonian Forest, you may use your electric bike but only under certain conditions. You

The Sonian Forest Platform organises a networking event for Sonian partners twice a year. Everybody who is active in and around the forest is welcome: nature enthusiasts, youth movements, managers, associations, forest wardens, riders, heritage enthusiasts… It’s the best opportunity to find out all the latest news from the Sonian Forest, hot off the press.

This autumn, Sibelga is working on expanding the gas distribution network in the Brussels Capital Region. The Sonian Forest has not escaped the works. But the ancient woodland is still accessible to walkers and cyclists. The diversions will lead you to quieter locations. The Brussels gas distribution network is under pressure. In order to expand

Why chop down healthy trees? This is a question that is often put to the managers and forest wardens in the Sonian Forest. The answer is simple: trees are only chopped down if there are good reasons to do so. Valley of the Drowned Children Concealed within the Sonian Forest, there is an exceptional nature

Honorary chairman of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, Flemish minister for Mobility Ben Weyts and EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella: all of them were eager to attend the laying of the foundation stone of the Ecoduct Groenendaal. Are you curious about the results? Then you’ll have to be patient. The wildlife crossing will only be

You will find De Woudpoort in Jezus-Eik, one of the six gateways to the Sonian Forest. In collaboration with Natuurinvest, the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests, and Estee IJs, this former forester’s house was transformed into an ice cream parlour. But De Woudpoort has much more to offer than ice cream alone. Feel like

Community centre De Warandepoort in Tervuren opened its doors earlier this year. However, just a week after opening, the central square had to be closed down due to the steep slope of the passageway. The changes to the passageway have now been completed and the square has been reopened. De Warandepoort is the ideal base

The National Geographic Institute has just issued a brand-new map of the Sonian Forest. This sets out the routes to the most striking places in the forest. The National Geographic Institute (NGI), together with the Nature and Woodland Agency (Agentschap Natuur en Bos), Brussels Environment (Leefmilieu Brussel) and the ‘Service public de Wallonie’ have prepared

Drapetis bruscellensis. This is the name of the latest insect variety. “I’ve been an entomologist for 36 years but discovering a new species is extraordinarily exciting”, says Patrick Grootaert of the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences, who discovered the fly near the Sonian Forest. For the first time in twenty years, a new species

On 30 May, the Walloon minister for Nature René Collin approved the Walloon management plan for the Sonian Forest. This sets out the guidelines for the sustainable and multifunctional management of the Forest until 2037. In 2008, the Flemish, Brussels Capital and the Walloon Regions decided to work together in relation to the Sonian Forest.

Dry Borren castle at Oudergem has been left to deteriorate for many years. But this is soon set to change: the permit for renovation has been granted. Dry Borren was built in 1329. This makes it the oldest monument in the Sonian Forest. The central building, built in 1410, is still completely intact. In the

At the start of this year, community centre De Warandepoort in Tervuren opened its doors. This new tourist centre is the ideal starting place for a visit to the Park of Tervuren, the Geographical Arboretum or the Tervuren part of the Sonian Forest. How old is the Sonian Forest? And why were the long lanes

On January 27th 2016 in Paris, the three regions have officially presented their candidacy to have parts of the Sonian Forest recognised as World Heritage. The Belgian representative at Unesco, Philippe Potjes, signed the application file in Paris. Ever since the end of January 2015, parts of the Sonian Forest are on the shortlist of

The Jan van Ruusbroec path is 2.3 kilometres long and provides a unique view on the life and work of the famous mystic. Jan van Ruusbroec was born in 1293 in Ruisbroek, near Brussels. In 1343, he co-founded the priory of Groenendaal, right in the middle of the Sonian Forest. During long walks, he experienced God’s

Underneath the paths of the Sonian Forest are the remains of a large abbey: the priory of Groenendaal. The priory church was demolished in the 18th century, but this autumn, archaeologists revealed some of the walls, rooms and vaulted ceilings preserved underground. A half-dilapidated shed on the edge of the Sonian Forest. Few hikers suspect

Designing a forest for children to play in, organising a public event, creating a theme trail: the possibilities to make the 6 entrance gates to the Sonian Forest attractive locations are endless. Local inhabitants, organisations and governments are cooperating in many places to build ‘their’ entrance gate. Want to help out? The Sonian Forest attracts

In the last few months, forester Nicolas Bronchain has closed dozens of rat runs in the Walloon part of the Sonian Forest. Often to the dismay of pedestrians and cyclists, who have been using these roads for years. “If we want to keep enjoying the Sonian Forest in the future, we need to give the

Since this autumn, large parts of the Sonian Forest are once again connected to one another. The passageway underneath the Trois Fontaines overpass near the Leonard intersection was designed in an animal-friendly way. And next to the Duisburgsesteenweg in Tervuren, 300 meters of barrier fences and two grids guide frogs and salamanders safely to amphibian tunnels.

Impressive, perfectly straight beeches reaching up to the sky: the Sonian forest didn’t gain its nickname ‘beech cathedral’ for nothing. But global warming could change that familiar view. 74% of the Sonian Forest consists of beeches. The beech is a typical tree for a temperate climate with soft winters and plenty of rain, like our